"Rumble Strip" Transmission issue

[JohnnyT]

Caldwell Toyota did my Cruiser for around $450 including labor and 15 quarts of WS fluid.

They know the procedure for a fluid exchange NOT a flush.

Do you remember the Service Advisor and/or tech you worked with??

I'm about 45 min south of Caldwell but if you claim they know what they are doing, then it may be worth the trip.

I got my T4R from Toyota of Morristown. Autoland (in Springfield) and Crystal Toyota (in Greenbrook) are closest to me but I have no idea if any of these dealerships do good work.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[ClockWork]

Nope.

 

[JohnnyT]

I just hit 40 k and I'm having my fluid replaced at my local dealership tomorrow morning. Should be about $350 largely due to the expense of the WS fluid and the "process" they state is required to monitor the fluid temp and do it right. Apparently a machine and a computer are involved and they say it takes a couple of hours.

Is there anything I should watch for or ask?

I don't plan to stay and watch since they're giving me a loaner and I have lots to do tomorrow, but I'll stay if it makes sense.

 

[scottm]

So I just replaced the oil in my diffs and t case, and now I'm getting this so called rumble strip issue.
It happens between 60 and 65mph only, and for the most part feels exactly like driving over a rumble strip (although it is slightly harder to tell since I have a flowmaster super 44 exhaust that gets a little loud at those speeds). I tried to read as much of the 6 pages of the post as possible but still not sure, torque converter or drain and fill the trani?

I'd first suspect the new fluids if it started immediately after the fluid change. What fluids did you use? Did you do anything else like lube the driveshaft? V8 or V6?

 

[clem18]

106k miles when the rumble strip started. Funny thing is it started after I got new tires so it kinda mess up my initial investigation of the cause. It's a good thing this forum exist

Anyway, decided to bring it to the dealer for drain and refill but I was offered the flush instead and explained the process and the price is not too much higher. I got it done for $220. The dealer said it might take some miles before the vibration disappears. Well, it was almost gone. I could still feel a slight vibration around 40-45 mph when I left the dealer and I'm expecting it to go away as I put more miles to it.

I'm just relieved it is not a real issue with the transmission :biggrin2:

 

[clem18]

After about 50 miles I could say the rumble strip vibration is totally gone.

 

[JohnnyT]

After about 50 miles I could say the rumble strip vibration is totally gone.

What dealer in NJ did the work?

 

[techmen17]

I'd first suspect the new fluids if it started immediately after the fluid change. What fluids did you use? Did you do anything else like lube the driveshaft? V8 or V6?

v6, I used synthetic 75w-90, and all I had done was the fluid changed. I work at a dealership, so I had a toyota tech do the work for me. I thought it was weird that the rumble popped up right after the fluid change, so I'm thinking it has to be related.

 

[clem18]

What dealer in NJ did the work?

Toyota of Turnersville. It would have been just the second time I brought it there,I do most of my maintenance, but both times I was satisfied although the first time was about the dashboard lights that my warranty does not cover so I just bought the lights from them and did it myself.

There was actually a dealership more near from me but the service is more expensive and the dealership was not even nicer.

I see that you paid $350, my receipt indicated $114 for the 12 QT WS and transmission revitalizer or something. $111 for labor. They also explained to me the process of using a computer to monitor the temp. I left mine early in the morning and did not get the pickup call until 5pm.

 

[JohnnyT]

Toyota of Turnersville. It would have been just the second time I brought it there,I do most of my maintenance, but both times I was satisfied although the first time was about the dashboard lights that my warranty does not cover so I just bought the lights from them and did it myself.

There was actually a dealership more near from me but the service is more expensive and the dealership was not even nicer.

I see that you paid $350, my receipt indicated $114 for the 12 QT WS and transmission revitalizer or something. $111 for labor. They also explained to me the process of using a computer to monitor the temp. I left mine early in the morning and did not get the pickup call until 5pm.

My experience last week didn't turn out as expected. The dealer I brought it to only did a "drain and fill" meaning that they only drained what was in the pan and refilled it. I realized this when the charge was only a bit over $100. I was crystal clear with them when I dropped the car off and I even spoke to them the prior day about how I wanted ALL of the ATF fluid exchanged and that it would cost $350. When I complained, they had me speak to the lead tech and they told me they would do the full fluid exchange (with WS) but really tried to talk me out of it. I took him for a test drive to explain what I was trying to resolve and he considered the "lugging" or "drone" or rumbling (whatever you want to call it) normal and assured me that there was nothing to be concerned about. So I paid and left with the same issue but feeling somewhat comfortable in their assessment in addition to the fact that they were recommending me to leave it alone when I was willing to spend much more.

Interestingly....... I've called 3-4 dealerships in NJ and every single one of them tries to talk me out of performing the full fluid exchange.

After reading what I continue to read here and after considering it further, I'm still not comfortable leaving it alone. A driver shouldn't have to put it in 4th gear in 30-40 mph traffic. I now have an appt tomorrow to have ALL the fluid replaced at Toyota Morristown. I was explicit with them on what I am expecting and they fully understand. Said it would be a bit over $300.

From what I read here and what they tell me, it is a precise process to change it all so I simply hope that having a dealer tech work on something that isn't recommended yet doesn't expose me to other issues. When multiple techs at dealers try to talk you out of something that they know more about than I do, it's understandably difficult for me to move forward with it........ but I am doing precisely that based on the recommendation from many on this forum.

 

[ClockWork]

JohnnyT what dealer are you brining it to? I have nothing but compliments for Caldwell Toyota's service department. I'm considering IPTransmissions also as they offer drivetrain upgrades on all Toyota transmissions and we probably familiar with the proper procedure.

I'm going to give them a call within the next 5k. I'm at 75k now. No, I have no symptoms.

 

[clem18]

My experience last week didn't turn out as expected. The dealer I brought it to only did a "drain and fill" meaning that they only drained what was in the pan and refilled it. I realized this when the charge was only a bit over $100. I was crystal clear with them when I dropped the car off and I even spoke to them the prior day about how I wanted ALL of the ATF fluid exchanged and that it would cost $350. When I complained, they had me speak to the lead tech and they told me they would do the full fluid exchange (with WS) but really tried to talk me out of it. I took him for a test drive to explain what I was trying to resolve and he considered the "lugging" or "drone" or rumbling (whatever you want to call it) normal and assured me that there was nothing to be concerned about. So I paid and left with the same issue but feeling somewhat comfortable in their assessment in addition to the fact that they were recommending me to leave it alone when I was willing to spend much more.

Interestingly....... I've called 3-4 dealerships in NJ and every single one of them tries to talk me out of performing the full fluid exchange.

After reading what I continue to read here and after considering it further, I'm still not comfortable leaving it alone. A driver shouldn't have to put it in 4th gear in 30-40 mph traffic. I now have an appt tomorrow to have ALL the fluid replaced at Toyota Morristown. I was explicit with them on what I am expecting and they fully understand. Said it would be a bit over $300.

From what I read here and what they tell me, it is a precise process to change it all so I simply hope that having a dealer tech work on something that isn't recommended yet doesn't expose me to other issues. When multiple techs at dealers try to talk you out of something that they know more about than I do, it's understandably difficult for me to move forward with it........ but I am doing precisely that based on the recommendation from many on this forum.

I initially did not want to do the flush but just drain and refill but just like you when they quoted me $90 for the drain and refill, I asked how much are they replacing and was told about 4qt. I told them I want all fluid replaced. It was going to cost me $150, then the tech suggested why not do a flush which would clear out the torque converter as well and put new fluid in, unlike the drain and refill which will leave the torque converter with the old fluid until I drove it and recycle the old and new fluid in the transmission.

I also called the dealer near me and they will also do the flush but it will cost $280 which is more and I don't like their shop anyway, not as neat and clean.

I never actually told them about the rumble strip until I after I decided to do the exchange and they never did asked me why I'm doing it, maybe because I already have 106k miles which is actually due for it anyway. Which I actually didn't plan on doing believing that the transmission fluid is good for the life of the truck, until I had the ruble issue... I guess now I need to keep in mind to do the coolant flush when I reach 120k.

 

[JohnnyT]

JohnnyT what dealer are you brining it to? I have nothing but compliments for Caldwell Toyota's service department. I'm considering IPTransmissions also as they offer drivetrain upgrades on all Toyota transmissions and we probably familiar with the proper procedure.

I'm going to give them a call within the next 5k. I'm at 75k now. No, I have no symptoms.

I'm bringing it to Morristown Toyota (where I bought the truck) since I will be working in our Parsippany office tomorrow. I spoke to them at length this morning about what I'm looking for. And trying to get them to throw in a spark plug change (since I believe it was due at 30k and I bought it at 34k and doubt it was ever done).

 

[JohnnyT]

I initially did not want to do the flush but just drain and refill but just like you when they quoted me $90 for the drain and refill, I asked how much are they replacing and was told about 4qt. I told them I want all fluid replaced. It was going to cost me $150, then the tech suggested why not do a flush which would clear out the torque converter as well and put new fluid in, unlike the drain and refill which will leave the torque converter with the old fluid until I drove it and recycle the old and new fluid in the transmission.

I also called the dealer near me and they will also do the flush but it will cost $280 which is more and I don't like their shop anyway, not as neat and clean.

I never actually told them about the rumble strip until I after I decided to do the exchange and they never did asked me why I'm doing it, maybe because I already have 106k miles which is actually due for it anyway. Which I actually didn't plan on doing believing that the transmission fluid is good for the life of the truck, until I had the ruble issue... I guess now I need to keep in mind to do the coolant flush when I reach 120k.

I'd go to Turnersville but thats a 2 hour hike for me. I'll try elsewhere and trust that they'll do it right.

 

[dwulffusa]

Hey guys, I'm back after over a year of no posts. Reason...new rumble strip issue started up this week.
Its not the 45mph 5th gear coasting rumble that it has been doing since new - that I grew immune to feeling and its very faint.

This week it started in the 3-4th shift low revs, 25-30mph. I have now read this thread front to back to decide on next move. I can't replicate it if I try, but its at least 1 in 10 standing starts I feel it and typically after turning left or right.

Since last post I have moved to central NJ and this will be its first visit to an NJ dealer for service work, finally breaking the streak of one dealer since new.

@JohnnyT and Clockwork - Morristown and Caldwell are the closest dealers to me. I am leaning towards Caldwell now, though Morristown would be more convenient.
Johnny T - any update since your visit?

I am coming up on the 120,000 mile service so may as well go the whole hog. I figure I need to do a full flush as well as all three diffs and the regular 120,000mile items. I changed the belt at 90,000 so don't need that.
What else should I do? Not ready to part with this vehicle, though this service is going to hurt..The first niggle in almost 120,000miles, I am definitely not complaining, even if it needs a new torque converter. On my last long trip to NC over Christmas I noticed the transmission was very sluggish on kickdown, a disconcerting lag when needing a 5th to 3rd change to merge, so perhaps this was brewing..

For what its worth to others, the car is immaculate, hasn't missed one oil change or service item since new, all done at the original dealer in NC, most (95%) of the miles have been highway, one up, and only had a light trailer behind it on a few occasions.

All suggestions appreciated. Thanks

 

[JohnnyT]

Well, my update is that I took it to Morristown and they drove it and said the rumble is Normal and that it is the nature of the truck. They recommended doing nothing and that performing the fluid exchange would cause more harm than good. I took their advise and had them DOCUMENT everything. At least they were honest because they simply could have done it and taken $400 and not given a ****.

You're situation is different since I only had 41k miles whereas you are due.

Then this weekend I traded the truck in for an 07 Sport v8 with 21k miles. Love it. Its the perfect truck. Rumble issue is gone from my life.

 

[dwulffusa]

2005 V6 SE 4WD Back from 120,000mile service

Update: Issue resolved
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/109039-2005-v6-4wd-back-120-000mile-service.html

 

[ClockWork]

Complete fluid exchange is 12-14 quarts, chief.

 

[dwulffusa]

Complete fluid exchange is 12-14 quarts, chief.

OK, thanks, but they did it for free and did recommend that it be done again at the next service. I am not complaining.

 

[DC runner]

12 Quarts was what they put through mine.